Jack Daniels 12-Year Tennessee Whiskey Review

BOTTLE DETAILS

• DISTILLER: Jack Daniel’s Distillery
• MASH BILL: 80% Corn | 8% Rye | 12% Malted Barley
• AGE: 12 years
• YEAR: 2023
• PROOF: 107 Proof (53.5% ABV)
• MSRP: $80 (for 700ml bottle)
• BUY ONLINE: Jack Daniel’s Retail Locator

STEVE’S NOTES

SHARE WITH: Any whiskey lover, especially a Jack Daniel’s lover who’s known nothing but the 80-proof flagship liquid.

WORTH THE PRICE: Inarguably. It’s doubtful you’ll find one at MSRP at retail, but if you do, jump all over it. It’s an annual release, so keep watch for it early in the year.

BOTTLE, BAR OR BUST: Bottle. All. Day. Long.

OVERALL:  I’m certain I’m not the first to say this, but this bottle and its Bonded and 10-year siblings are all the proof one needs to be convinced that Jack Daniel’s is best at higher proofs. The 12-year is a whiskey of tremendous complexity, character and texture, and the 10-year (review forthcoming) is barely less arresting. This Jack is mannerly, wizened, confident and worthy of standing alongside any American whiskey on a back bar. It belies its shockingly modest MSRP.

The nose is that unmistakably fruity-acetone yeast note from Brown-Forman whiskeys–that curious combo of fresh orange, bubble gum, cooked stone fruit and Luxardo Maraschino liqueur that I love. It’s lush and floral on the palate. Every sip is a wave of warmth and flavor rocking forward with fruit and oak and back with pie crust, pipe tobacco and baking spices. Finishes are rarely at the top of my list of interests, but this one is long, just barely dry and pleasant in every way.

Admittedly, it didn’t hurt a bit to taste it at the distillery in Lynchburg (a must-visit if you’ve not been there) with master distiller Chris Fletcher, an unabashed fan of the 12- and 10-year. Watching a guy’s face–who’s tried this liquid countless times–slip into a long and satisfied grin with a few sips says a lot about what’s in the glass and how it commands a pro’s attention.

For what it’s worth, I enjoy Jack Daniel’s cask-strength releases and even those orange-labeled brutes from Coy Hill (the highest rickhouse on Jack’s campus). But this 12-year is my favorite of the family.

BRAND NOTES

The Jack Daniel Distillery today announced the release of its new 12-Year-Old Tennessee Whiskey. The limited edition whiskey is the latest in Jack Daniel’s Aged Series, an annual release of age-stated expressions that celebrate the brand’s heritage.

“The Jack Daniel Distillery is one of the most complete whiskey distilleries in the world, and we’re fortunate to have a deep history to draw inspiration from and craft premium whiskeys in a way that stays true to our heritage of quality and innovation,” said Chris Fletcher, Jack Daniel’s Master Distiller. “We released our first age-stated whiskey since the early 1900s in this series about a year ago and were thrilled with the overwhelmingly positive response. We know there is a lot of excitement for our Aged Series, and we can’t wait to share Batch 2 of our 10-
Year-Old Tennessee Whiskey along with the first release of our 12-Year-Old Tennessee Whiskey.”

Jack Daniel’s 12-Year-Old has sweet and creamy notes of pipe tobacco, seasoned oak, and butterscotch. Jack Daniel’s 10-Year-Old Batch 2 is oak forward with layers of dark fruit and bittersweet cocoa.

Disclaimer: Jack Daniel’s provided Bourbon & Banter with a sample of their product for this review. We appreciate their willingness to allow us to review their products with no strings attached. Thank you.